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Scientific reports2025; 15(1); 18550; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-98034-8

Exploring the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines through a personality-centred lens.

Abstract: There is increasing focus on how to induce and measure positive affective states in animals and the development of social license to operate has brought this to the forefront within equestrianism. This study aimed to utilise a range of methods to induce and measure positive affect in horses in real-world settings. Twenty healthy horses were scored for personality, exposed to four induction methods (wither scratching, high value food provision, positive reinforcement training and the addition of an affiliative conspecific), and data collected on their behaviour (QBA and ethograms) and physiology (heart and respiratory rate, heart rate variability, eye and ear thermography and salivary cortisol). Analyses identified potentially sensitive and specific behavioural (ear and eye position, QBA items, frustration items) and physiological (RR mean, HF power, LF power, LF/HF ratio, mean HR, RMSSD and pNN50) measures of affective state across the four quadrants of core affect. Individual difference effects were found, and personality traits such as unfriendly, nervous and unresponsive were associated with differing responses to induction stimuli indicating that all four induction stimuli are potentially useful for inducing positive affect depending on their salience to the individual. Research measuring and inducing positive affect in animals rarely considers personality, but this study underscores its importance. The dimensional approach taken allowed for assessment of the broad arousal and valence components of affect without ascribing measures to discrete emotions. Accurate, real-world measures of affect could benefit 116 million equines globally, and exploring ways to promote positive affect in horses can significantly enhance their welfare.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-27 PubMed ID: 40425817PubMed Central: PMC12116887DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-98034-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study examines the induction and measurement of positive emotional states in horses, considering personality as a key factor. The study finds that methods to induce positive emotions and the reaction to these methods can be highly individual and can be associated with certain personality traits.

Research Methods

  • The study involved twenty healthy horses, whose personalities were first evaluated.
  • The researchers used four different methods to induce positive emotional states: wither scratching, providing high-value food, positive reinforcement training, and the introduction of a friendly horse.
  • Measurements were taken of the horses’ behavior and physiological reactions. Behavior was assessed through qualitative behavior assessment and ethograms, which record observable behaviors. Physiological measurements included heart and respiratory rates, temperature changes in the eye and ear, and cortisol levels in saliva.
  • Both behavioral and physiological measurements were undertaken to give a comprehensive insight into the emotional state of the horses.

Findings

  • By analyzing the measurements, the researchers could identify specific behavioral and physiological indicators of the horses’ emotional states. For example, eye and ear positions, and items related to frustration were effective behavioral indicators, while heart and respiratory rates, along with their variability, were informative physiological markers.
  • The study found a strong connection between the horses’ personalities and their reactions to the different positive-induction methods. For example, horses deemed to be unfriendly or nervous responded differently compared to those tagged as unresponsive.
  • The research underscored the importance of considering an animal’s personality when attempting to induce positive emotional states, as different approaches may be more effective depending on the individual animal’s temperament.

Implications

  • This study provides a significant development in the field of animal welfare, especially concerning the welfare of horses. It presents individual-based strategies that cater to the personality of the animal, with the aim to elicit positive emotional responses effectively.
  • This approach could have wider applications for the care and training of horses, leading to improved welfare for the estimated 116 million horses worldwide.

Cite This Article

APA
Loftus L, Newman A, Leach M, Asher L. (2025). Exploring the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines through a personality-centred lens. Sci Rep, 15(1), 18550. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98034-8

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 18550
PII: 18550

Researcher Affiliations

Loftus, Loni
  • School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. i.l.loftus@newcastle.ac.uk.
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Campus, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK. i.l.loftus@newcastle.ac.uk.
  • University Centre Askham Bryan, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, UK. i.l.loftus@newcastle.ac.uk.
Newman, Amy
  • University Centre Askham Bryan, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, UK.
Leach, Matthew
  • Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
Asher, Lucy
  • School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Horses / psychology
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Male
  • Personality / physiology
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Female
  • Affect / physiology
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Górski K, Kondracki S, Kępka-Borkowska K. The Complexity of Communication in Mammals: From Social and Emotional Mechanisms to Human Influence and Multimodal Applications. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 15;16(2).
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